Irish Rural Link ‘Renews’ Hope for Future Employment

Leading campaigners for sustainability across rural Ireland, Irish Rural Link (IRL), has recently launched its report on ‘Renewable Energy and Rural Employment Opportunities’ with illuminating results. The report shows an important link between renewable technology and future employment in rural communities, indicating that thousands of jobs could be created in this sector.

It suggests that by harnessing solar energy, biomass, wind and other forms of renewable energy, the provision of new jobs in rural areas would be increased significantly.

With this in mind, Irish Rural Link has joined forces with the world-leading providers of solar technology, Kingspan Solar, today (Wednesday 24 June), to launch the organisation’s national draw. Encouraging the use of solar technology, first prize will be a new state-of-the-art Thermomax solar system including installation, worth over €6,000.

Running between now and September 2009, IRL, is hoping to raise much-needed funds to continue its campaign for sustainable, resilient rural communities. Reflecting on the organisation’s recent research, there was an obvious synergy between IRL and Kingspan Solar.

Chairman of Irish Rural Link, Martin Smyth, comments: “Irish Rural Link is passionate about supporting rural communities in this country. Our report clearly shows that renewable energy offers the potential to provide employment opportunities in rural areas that are currently experiencing a decline in traditional employment. Therefore, the development of the renewable sector will not only create jobs, but also reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and boost the economy overall.

“Through our partnership with Kingspan Solar, one of the pioneers in solar vacuum tube collectors, we can work together to educate people on renewable technologies. There are huge benefits in green energy solutions, including the reduction of people’s carbon footprints and the obvious cost-savings. This is particularly important when a carbon tax is set to be introduced in the next budget.”

Adding to the above, Alan Hogan, All-Ireland Sales Director at Kingspan Solar, comments: “Sustainable energy solutions are moving to the forefront of technology and this is where future development lies. At Kingspan Solar, we have an expanding portfolio of renewable products but the jewel in the crown is the Thermomax system – which we are giving away through Irish Rural Link’s national prize draw, and which will be installed by one of our Kingspan Accredited Installers.

“The market-leading product’s success is in its design and efficiency. Designed and built in Europe for the changeable Irish weather, it is one of the most effective products in the world and is up to 30% more effective than flat panel collectors. It can supply up to 70% of users’ annual hot water needs reducing a rural household’s costs significantly.”

Alan concludes: “It is also ideal for the agricultural sector. We recently had a milking parlour in Carlow install a Thermomax system for heating its cleaning water and since its installation has been experiencing significantly reduced costs as well as faster productivity.”

For details on how to enter Irish Rural Link’s national prize draw and be in with a chance of winning the world-leading Thermomax system from Kingspan Solar, please log on to www.irishrurallink.ie.

To find out more on Kingspan Renewables and its range of Kingspan Solar products freephone: 1800 812 718 or NI 0800 328 5689. Alternatively click www.kingspansolar.com.